Australia is an amazing country to travel. The sun is always shining, the weather is amazing, and there is always something to do – not to mention, the people are a delight in themselves. However, even though you’re heading Down Under, it doesn’t mean the prices are heading down with you. Boasting one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in (Sydney), a trip to Australia can take a bit bite out of your wallet if you’re not careful.

It’s not all gloom and doom, though. There are cheap ways to visit Australia – you just need to know where to go and what to do. If you’re stuck for ideas, here are a few ways you can save money on accommodation when you’re taking a trip to the Southern Hemisphere.

Backpack

Although backpacking is often touted as a young person’s game, it’s really suitable for anyone that wants to save a bit of money. Australia is overflowing with backpacker accommodation in every city, so it’s simply a matter of finding one close to where you want to travel. For between $20 and $50 a night, you can generally find yourself in a decent, clean place – plus, everyone knows that backpacking is a fantastic way to meet new people!

Road trip

While buying a car can often be pricey (although companies like John Hughes offer great deals), road tripping is the exact opposite. You may need to spend money on petrol, but you can sleep in your car or stop at a motel in a small town on the road along the way to your destination – it will save you a ton, because Australia’s motels are far cheaper than hotels. On top of this, you’ll get the flexibility of being able to drive whenever you want and stop whenever you want. Sounds like the perfect arrangement, doesn’t it?

Multi-night stays

As with any country, the more nights you stay, the cheaper the accommodation gets. Generally if you book a stay with the same hotel or motel for more than three nights, you’ll find the cost per night decreases significantly. Also, it’s a good idea to call up the hotel to ask what deals they can do for you – often, the best price isn’t listed on their website or on websites like Wotif.

Cities aren’t always the best choice

Australia’s cities are always densely packed, and stuffed full of tourists – Sydney on a Saturday night during peak season is almost impossible. Instead of wasting all your money on staying in the heart of a city, book accommodation in rural towns and take a day trip to the big CBD instead – this way, you’ll save hundreds and you’ll get to see two different sides to the country.

Alana Hitchens is a writer who has tried to book accommodation in Sydney on a Saturday night before. It’s safe to say she’s never doing it again.